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Math Is Too Hard

A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research finds that many students who enter college anticipating a math or science major switch to a non-technical major after being dissatisfied with their grades.

Researchers Ralph Stinebrickner (Berea College) and Todd R. Stinebrickner (University of Western Ontario) found that students expected to do more work as a math or science major, they just weren't prepared for that hard work not paying off in the form of high marks.

The Stinebrickners conclude:

If more science graduates are desired, the findings suggest the importance of policies at younger ages that lead students to enter college better prepared to study science.